Government Reporter
The Press Democrat, winner of the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for breaking news reporting, is seeking a reporter to cover local government and politics in Sonoma County. This is a position for an experienced enterprise reporter with a track record of holding institutions and leaders accountable to the public they serve. The core of this high-profile beat is identifying issues that impact people and crafting engaging stories that help readers understand the forces that affect their daily lives. It requires someone who can develop sources in government and the broader community, analyze budgets and other data, and write clear and compelling stories about policy, people and politics. Public records skills are essential.
We are a healthy, locally owned newspaper that values original ideas, aggressive reporting, authoritative writing and watchdog coverage that leads to change. Any member of our reporting team must know how to juggle daily stories, online posts, social media interaction and long-term enterprise and investigative projects. Data acquisition, analysis and presentation skills are a plus, as is fluency in Spanish.
We offer an opportunity to grow your career at our award-winning publications, with opportunities to contribute to our daily newspaper, website and regional magazine. All have been recognized as among the best in their respective categories, one of the reasons our news products enjoy some of the highest readership rates in the nation.
This position is based in Santa Rosa, an hour north of San Francisco, where vineyards give way to redwood forests and a scenic coast. The region, home to 650,000 people, is an international destination for tourists and produces some of the best wine and beer on the planet. Two colleges, along with thriving tech, farm and government sectors make this region of diverse communities an exciting and dynamic place to be a reporter.
The Press Democrat offers a competitive compensation plan, including medical, dental, vision and life insurance benefits, accident insurance and paid time off. We are committed to a drug- and alcohol-free workplace. Any job offer is conditional upon completion of a background investigation and pre-employment drug testing. This reporting position requires a valid California driver’s license, proof of insurance and reliable transportation.
To be considered, please submit a cover letter, resume and up to six samples of your best work to: hr@pressdemocrat.com. Include the title ‘government reporter’ in the subject line.